Summary of the invention
According to an aspect of the present invention, provide the data transmission method in a kind of communication system, this method comprises: between network element at least one message is carried out first communication, the transfer of this network control of message indication from the source network element to target network element; In target network element, be the network control Resources allocation; User related data is sent to source network element and target network element; Between network element, at least one message is carried out second communication, be used for network control is transferred to target network element from the source network element; And the termination user related data is to the transmission of source network element.
According to an aspect of the present invention, provide the data transmission method in a kind of communication system, this method comprises: between network element at least one message is carried out first communication, the transfer of this network control of message indication from the source network element to target network element; In target network element, be the network control Resources allocation; User related data is sent to the source network element and is sent to the source network element along the down link direction via core network element via target network element along uplink direction; Between network element, at least one message is carried out second communication, be used for network control is transferred to target network element from the source network element; And the termination user related data is to the transmission of source network element.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a kind of communication system that comprises source network element, target network element and core network element is provided, and this communication system comprises: network element comprises and is used for the device that at least one message of transfer to the network control of indication from the source network element to target network element communicates; Target network element comprises the device that is used to the network control Resources allocation; Core network element comprises the device that is used for along the down link direction user related data being sent to the source network element; Target network element comprises the device that is used for along uplink direction user related data being sent to the source network element; Network element comprises and is used for to being used for network control being transferred to the device that at least one message of target network element communicates from the source network element; And target network element and core network element comprise and are used to stop the device of user related data to the transmission of source network element.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a kind of communication system that comprises source network element, target network element and core network element is provided, and this communication system comprises: network element comprises and is used for the device that at least one message of transfer to the network control of indication from the source network element to target network element communicates; Target network element comprises the device that is used to the network control Resources allocation; Core network element comprises the device that is used for user related data is sent to source network element and target network element; Target network element comprises the device that is used for user related data is sent to source network element and core network element; Network element comprises and is used for to being used for network control being transferred to the device that at least one message of target network element communicates from the source network element; And target network element and core network element comprise and are used to stop the device of user related data to the transmission of source network element.
According to an aspect of the present invention, provide a kind of target network element, having comprised: be used for the device that at least one message of transfer to the network control of indication from the source network element to target network element communicates; Be used to the device of network control Resources allocation; Be used for user related data being sent to the device of source network element along uplink direction; Be used between network element network control being transferred to the device that at least one message of target network element communicates from the source network element to being used for; And be used to stop the device of user related data to the transmission of source network element.
According to an aspect of the present invention, provide a kind of target network element, having comprised: be used for the device that at least one message of transfer to the network control of indication from the source network element to target network element communicates; Be used to the device of network control Resources allocation; Be used for user related data is sent to the device of source network element and core network element; Be used between network element network control being transferred to the device that at least one message of target network element communicates from the source network element to being used for; And be used to stop the device of user related data to the transmission of source network element.
According to an aspect of the present invention, provide a kind of core network element, having comprised: be used for the device that at least one message of transfer to the network control of indication from the source network element to target network element communicates; Be used for user related data is sent to the device of source network element and target network element; Be used between network element network control being transferred to the device that at least one message of target network element communicates from the source network element to being used for; And be used to stop the device of user related data to the transmission of source network element.
According to an aspect of the present invention, provide a kind of core network element, having comprised: be used for the device that at least one message of transfer to the network control of indication from the source network element to target network element communicates; Be used for user related data being sent to the device of source network element along the down link direction; Be used between network element network control being transferred to the device that at least one message of target network element communicates from the source network element to being used for; And be used to stop the device of user related data to the transmission of source network element.
According to an aspect of the present invention, provide a kind of target network element, its configuration is used for: at least one message of transfer to the network control of indication from the source network element to target network element communicates; Be the network control Resources allocation; User related data is sent to source network element and core network element; Between network element, at least one message that network control is transferred to target network element from the source network element is communicated being used for; And the termination user related data is to the transmission of source network element.
According to an aspect of the present invention, provide a kind of core network element, its configuration is used for: at least one message of transfer to the network control of indication from the source network element to target network element communicates; User related data is sent to source network element and target network element; Between network element, at least one message that network control is transferred to target network element from the source network element is communicated being used for; And the termination user related data is to the transmission of source network element.
The invention provides a plurality of advantages.Embodiment of the present invention provides repositioning process, wherein customer traffic does not interrupt during network control is shifted, this be because user data for source radio network controller (example of source network element) and target radio network controller (example of target network element) the two for pair broadcasting.
Embodiment
With reference to Fig. 1, we analyze the example that embodiment of the present invention can be applied to its data transmission system.The present invention can be applied to various communication systems.An example of these communication systems is universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) wireless access networks.It is a kind of wireless access network, and it comprises Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) (WCDMA) technology and real-time circuit and packet-switched services can be provided.Yet execution mode is not limited to the system that provides as example, but those skilled in the art can be applied to solution to have the other system of desirable characteristics.
Those skilled in the art should know that the method according to this invention can be applied to utilize the system of different modulation or air-interface standard.
Fig. 1 is can be to the reduced graph of the data transmission system of its application according to solution of the present invention.This is the part of cellular wireless system, and it comprises Node B (base station) 100, and it has to the bidirectional wireless link 102 and 104 of user terminal (UE) 106 and 108.User terminal can be that fix, vehicle-mounted or portable.For example, Node B comprises transceiver.The connection of existence from the transceiver of Node B to antenna element, it is established to the bidirectional wireless link of user terminal.Node B also is connected to radio network controller (RNC) 110, and its connection with terminal transfers to other parts of network.Radio network controller also is connected to core net (CN) 112.Depend on this system, the counter pair of CN side can be to move to serve switching center (MSC), media gateway (MGW) or service universal packet wireless business affair (GPRS) support node (SGSN).
Another radio network controller 114 also is shown.In this example, under handover case, radio network controller 110 is source radio network controllers, and radio network controller 114 is target radio network controllers.
Cellular wireless system can also with other network service, for example public switch telephone network or internet.
Then, explain prior art reorientation signaling by Fig. 2.Should note, channel resource and the channel resource on the interface between RNC and the base station transceiver (Iub) on the wave point (Uu) between UMTS Terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN) and the subscriber equipment (UE, i.e. user terminal) remain unchanged during reorientation.This is called the reorientation that user terminal is not comprised.In addition, the reorientation of a kind of user terminal execution hard handoff switching is possible.Reorientation is meant a kind of process of the Route Selection change that wherein user terminal connects in universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) land radio access web (UTRAN).In other words, reorientation means the transfer of SRNC state.When leaving the sub-district of being controlled by its current wireless network controller, typically carries out mobile subscriber terminal reorientation.Before the SRNC state transitions arrived another radio network controller, this radio network controller kept as service wireless network controller (SRNC), and the traffic between core net and user terminal transmits via it.Reorientation realizes more effective use of communication network resource.
According to Fig. 2, relocation source RNC 110 has noticed after user terminal has left sub-district by its control at it and has sent the reorientation requirement message to core net (CN) 112.Type of message is wireless access network applying portion (RANAP).RANAP is meant the wireless access network signaling protocol, and it comprises the mechanism of the process of processing between core net and wireless access network (RAN).This message is reorientation demand (Relocation Required).
Core net 112 sends RANAP then: re-positioning request (Relocation Request) message is to reorientation Target RNC 200, and RNC 200 is preserved for the resource 204 of network control.Target RNC sends RANAP: re-positioning request is replied (Relocation RequestAck) message (ACK=acknowledgement), represents that it has received RELOCATION REQUEST message.
After RELOCATION REQUEST message, carry out the user plane that is used for new SRNC connection and set up 206.User plane is one deck of data transmission system, and wherein user data typically by suitable framing structure encapsulation, transmits between network node.For example, user plane handles comprises the code conversion of voice channel and is used for the Data Format Transform of data.
RANAP: reorientation order (Relocation Command) message sends to source RNC 110 from core net 112.Source RNC launches RNSAP: reorientation submits to (RelocationCommit) message to Target RNC.RNSAP represents Radio Network Subsystem Application Part.RNSAP is the RNS signaling protocol that is used for the Iur interface.
Then, Serving RNC shifts, and the bi-directional user plane (UP) that starts from Iur to new Iu switches 208.Target RNC sends RANAP: reorientation detection (RelocationDetect) message is to core net (CN) and finish user plane switching 210.The state of Target RNC (Drift Radio Network Controller) is changed into SRNC.When CN received relocation detect-message, it switched to new Iu with user plane from old Iu.Arrow 202 illustrates the customer traffic that is caused by repositioning process and interrupts.As can be seen from Figure 2, the duration of interruption is significant.
RRC (Radio Resource control): UTRAN mobility information (UTRAN MobilityInformation) and UTRAN mobility information confirm that (UTRAN MobilityInformation Confirm) message changes between user terminal and Target RNC, to upgrade the SRNC information of user terminal.
Target RNC sends RANAP: reorientation is finished (Relocation Complete) message to core net.Core net sends Iu successively and discharges (Iu Release) message to source RNC.Source RNC discharges the Iu connection and sends RANAP:Iu release and finishes (Iu ReleaseComplete) message to core net.After the Iu Release complete, discharge the user plane 212 that old SRNC connects.
The two-way customer traffic before reorientation of prior art shown in Fig. 3 A.Fig. 3 B illustrates the two-way customer traffic after reorientation of prior art.
User terminal 106 has to the base station 100 two-way connection Uu 304.Interface between base station and DRNC 200 is called Iub 306.In this example, Drift Radio Network Controller (DRNC) is a Target RNC, and Serving RNC (SRNC) the 110th, source RNC.Interface between DRNC and SRNC is called Iur 308.Interface between SRNC and CN is called Iu312 and interface between DRNC and CN is called Iu ' and 310 they is distinguished from each other.Drift Radio Network Controller and core net also comprise two-way switch, and it is convenient to switch customer traffic.
User data shifted via Serving RNC (SRNC) before reorientation, and it is illustrated by dotted line 302.After reorientation, Fig. 3 B, bi-directional data do not transmit by original SRNC, but only by DRNC (Target RNC), it is new SRNC now.Data flow is illustrated by dotted line 314.The element title does not change to clearly show that data flow difference in Fig. 3 B.
Below, be described in more detail an execution mode of data transmission method in the communication system by Fig. 4.
Execution mode comprises the two multicast functions that are used for uplink direction and down link direction.Two broadcasting for example be meant, data send to old Iu and are connected (or connect with new Iu be connected) to old Iur with new Iu during reorientation.Two the broadcasting typically that is used for up link carried out at radio network controller, and for down link, (in this application, all is called network element) usually in core network element.Two broadcasting typically to up link realizes that in this RNC entity it can transmit dedicated transmission channel (DCH) frame (3GPPTS 25.427) and transmit user plane (UP) frame (3GPP TS25.415) by the Iu interface to core net to source RNC by the Iur interface simultaneously.Two broadcasting can be carried out on both direction simultaneously.
Typically, when using present embodiment, remain unchanged with prior art contrast RANAP, RNSAP and RRC signaling.Execution mode is in frame 400 beginnings.
At frame 402 frames, at least one message of transfer to the network control of indication from the source network element to target network element between network element communicates.The example of relocation process can be seen in Fig. 5.In this example, the message of the transfer of indication network control is RANAP: reorientation demand and RANAP: re-positioning request.
In frame 404, target network element is given in the resource allocation that is used for network control.
In frame 406, user related data is sent to source network element and target network element.This is called two broadcasting.Two broadcasting can start after the user plane between core net and the target radio network controller is set up.
In frame 408, between network element, at least one message that network control is transferred to target network element from the source network element is communicated being used for.In the example of Fig. 5, be used for transfer network control and the message that transmits is RANAP for example: reorientation order, RNSAP: reorientation is submitted to and RANAP: reorientation detects.
In frame 410, stop the transmission of user related data to the source network element.For example, as long as CN receives relocation detect-message from Target RNC, just can carry out the up link that connects from source RNC to Target RNC Iu and switch.Can receive that reorientation is finished or during during the Iu release message or when the user plane that is released between source RNC and the CN, stop at core-network side the user data of source RNC is transmitted.
Execution mode finishes at frame 412.
Two the broadcasting typically of each transmission direction more carried out near data source than switching device.For example, the reorientation of UMTS system: uplink bi-cast is carried out in DRNC and up link switches among the CN and carries out.Downlink bi-cast is carried out in CN and down link switches among the DRNC and carries out.Be convenient to like this when between network element, having delay, for the unbroken reorientation of both direction.
Two broadcasting can be represented to connect when being connected with the Iu of target network element as Iu that data are sent to the source network element, user data be sent to source network element and target network element the two.
Two broadcast can also represent data be sent to source network element and core network element the two, the Iur that is sent to the source network element connects and the Iu between target and core network element connects.
Then, by the example of Fig. 5 explanation according to the reorientation signaling of execution mode.
Relocation source RNC 110 has noticed after user terminal has left sub-district by its control at it and has sent the reorientation requirement message to core net (CN) 112.Type of message is wireless access network applying portion (RANAP).RANAP is meant the wireless access network signaling protocol, and it comprises the mechanism of the process of processing between core net and wireless access network (RAN).Message is the reorientation requirement message.
Core net 112 sends RANAP then: relocate request-message to reorientation Target RNC 200, and RNC 200 is preserved for the resource 500 of network control.Target RNC sends RANAP: relocation request acknowledge message (ACK=acknowledgement), represent that it has received RELOCATION REQUEST message.
After RELOCATION REQUEST message, carry out the user plane that is used for new SRNC connection and set up 502.
After user plane is set up, start in core net 112 and Target RNC (Drift Radio Network Controller) 200 that down link (DL) and up link (UL) are two broadcasts 504,506.
RANAP: the reorientation command messages sends to source RNC 110 from core net 112.Source RNC launches RNSAP: relocate commit-message to Target RNC.RNSAP represents Radio Network Subsystem Application Part, and it is the RNS signaling protocol that is used for the Iur interface.
At Target RNC after source RNC receives repositioning submission information, Serving RNC transfer operation 508 beginnings.Downlink user data stream switches to target Iu from Iur and connects 510.Because downlink bi-cast, it is possible not having the reorientation of the interruption of customer traffic to switch in the down link direction.
Target RNC sends RANAP: relocation detect-message is to core net (CN).When CN received relocation detect-message, it flowed old Iu with uplink user data and switches to new Iu 512.Uplink data frames is sent to source RNC from Target RNC, up to discharge private communication channel (DCH) on Iur.During uplink bi-cast, same data frames can be used for source and target Iu and connects, and is convenient to switch in the reorientation that uplink direction does not have customer traffic to interrupt.
RRC (Radio Resource control): UTRAN mobility information and the conversion between user terminal and Target RNC of UTRAN mobility information acknowledge message, to upgrade the SRNC information of user terminal.
Target RNC sends RANAP: relocate complete-message to core net, it sends the Iu release message successively to source RNC.Source RNC discharges the Iu connection and sends the RANAP:Iu Release complete to core net.After the Iu Release complete, discharge the user plane 514 that old SRNC connects.Can work as and send the Iu release message or receive that Iu discharges when finishing or when the user plane that is released between source RNC and the CN, stop downlink bi-cast.
Fig. 6 A-B illustrates the example according to the data flow of above-mentioned execution mode user related data.Uplink user data stream during Fig. 6 A is illustrated in and is redirected, and Fig. 6 B be illustrated in be redirected during downlink chain circuit data stream.
User terminal 106 has to the base station 100 two-way connection Uu 304.Interface between base station and DRNC 200 is called Iub 306.In this example, Drift Radio Network Controller (DRNC) is a Target RNC, and Serving RNC (SRNC) the 110th, source RNC.Interface between DRNC and SRNC is called Iur 308.Interface between SRNC and CN is called Iu312 and interface between DRNC and CN is called Iu ' and 310 they is distinguished from each other.Drift Radio Network Controller comprises and being used for to the two devices of broadcasting of uplink direction, and core net comprises the up link switching device shifter.In addition, CN comprises and being used at the two devices of broadcasting of down link direction, and Drift Radio Network Controller comprises the down link switching device shifter.
At uplink direction, user data is transferred to core net (CN) 112 from user terminal 106 via Drift Radio Network Controller 200 (Target RNC) and via Serving RNC 110.Data flow with dashed lines 600 in Fig. 6 A marks.
In the down link direction, user data is transferred to user terminal 106 from core net by Drift Radio Network Controller 200 (Target RNC) and via Serving RNC 110.Data flow with dashed lines 602 in Fig. 6 B marks.
After reorientation, Drift Radio Network Controller 200 will be as new Serving RNC.
With reference to Fig. 7, simplified block diagram illustrates the example of radio network controller (RNC) logical construction.Radio network controller is the example of (source or) target network element.RNC is switching and the control element of UTRAN.Switch 700 is responsible for being connected between core net and user terminal.Radio network controller is between Iub 702 and Iu 714 interfaces.Network controller is connected to these interfaces via interface unit 704,712.Also be useful on the interface that transmits between RNC and be called Iur 716.Interface can also be IuCS or IuPS.
The function of radio network controller can be divided into two classes: UTRAN RRM (RRM) function 706 and controlled function 710.Operation and management interface function 708 usefulness act on and Network Management Function between the medium of information transfer.RRM is to be used for sharing the one group of algorithm that is connected with the management wireless path, makes that the quality and the ability that connect are enough.Most important wireless resource management algorithm is Handoff Control, power control, permission control, packet scheduling and code administration.The UTRAN controlled function is responsible for relating to the foundation of the wireless connections between base station and user terminal, the function of keeping and discharging.
The accurate realization of radio network controller (RNC) depends on vendor.
The maniflest function of embodiments of the present invention, for example control is two broadcasts, and can advantageously realize by the software of (typically in switching function 700 and in operation and management interface function 708) in the suitable part of radio network controller.Other implementations also are possible, and for example different hardware realizes, for example the circuit that constitutes by the independent logical assembly or one or more customer specifle integrated circuit (application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), ASIC).The mixing of these realizations also is feasible.
With reference to Fig. 8, simplified block diagram illustrates the example of mobile switching centre's logical construction.Mobile switching centre or multimedia gateway (MGM) are the examples of core network element (or network element).An example of switching center equipment is to move to serve switching center (MSC) and can also use other abbreviations.Mobile switching centre is the mutual network element of carrying out function of exchange and control and other networks in its opereating specification, for example public switch telephone network (PSTN).
Switch 800 is responsible for being connected between other networks and base station system.Mobile switching centre is positioned between IuCS 802 and PSTN (or A, Nb, Mb, latter two is used for MGW) 814 interfaces.Mobile switching centre is connected to these interfaces via interface unit 804,812.
The function of mobile switching centre can be divided into two classes: user plane handles function 806 and controlled function 810.Separate if user plane and control plane are handled, then MGW carries out user plane handles and the processing of MSC server process control plane.Operation and management interface function 808 usefulness act on the medium of information transfer.
The accurate realization of mobile switching centre depends on vendor.
The maniflest function of embodiments of the present invention, for example control is two broadcasts, and can advantageously realize by the software of (for example in switching function 800 and in user plane handles function 806) in the suitable part of mobile switching centre.Other implementations also are possible, and for example different hardware realizes, for example the circuit that constitutes by the independent logical assembly or one or more customer specifle integrated circuit (application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), ASIC).The mixing of these realizations also is feasible.
In Fig. 9, simplified block diagram illustrates the example (GPRS=GPRS) of Serving GPRS Support Node logical construction.Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) is another example of the 3rd network element (or network element).SGSN is by sending or receive packet service in the GPRS Support Node of GPRS user terminal via base station sub-system or wireless access network.
Switch and route 900 is responsible for being connected between base station sub-system and RNS.SGSN is between IuPS 902 and Gn 914 or Gp 916 interfaces.When being positioned at identical public land mobile network (PLMN) inside with Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN), uses SGSN gn interface.If SGSN is arranged in different PLMN with GGSN, then use gp interface.SGSN is connected to these interfaces via interface unit 904,912.
The function of SGSN comprises controlled function 910.Operation and management interface function 908 usefulness act on the medium of information transfer.
The accurate realization of SGSN depends on vendor.
The maniflest function of embodiments of the present invention, for example control is two broadcasts, and can advantageously realize by the software of (for example in handoff functionality 900) in the suitable part of SGSN.Other implementations also are possible, and for example different hardware realizes, for example the circuit that constitutes by the independent logical assembly or one or more customer specifle integrated circuit (application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), ASIC).The mixing of these realizations also is feasible.
With reference to Figure 10, simplified block diagram illustrates the example (GPRS=GPRS) of Gateway GPRS Support Node logical construction.Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) is the another example of the 3rd network element.GGSN is the GPRS Support Node as the gateway between GPRS network and packet switched public data network (PSPDN).
For PSPDN, the similar subnet of GPRS network, its can and the GPRS user terminal between transferring data.The GGSN encapsulating packets.External network is regarded GGSN as the router of subnet.
Switch and route 1000 is responsible for being connected between SGSN and GGSN.SGSN is between Gn 1002 and Gi 1014 interfaces.When being positioned at identical public land mobile network (PLMN) inside, GGSN and SGSN use gn interface.SGSN is connected to these interfaces via interface unit 1004,1012.
The function of GGSN comprises controlled function 1010.Operation and management interface function 1008 usefulness act on the medium of information transfer.
The accurate realization of GGSN depends on vendor.
The maniflest function of embodiments of the present invention, for example control is two broadcasts, and can advantageously realize by the software of (for example in handoff functionality 1000) in the suitable part of GGSN.Other implementations also are possible, and for example different hardware realizes, for example the circuit that constitutes by the independent logical assembly or one or more customer specifle integrated circuit (application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), ASIC).The mixing of these realizations also is feasible.
Although top reference example has with reference to the accompanying drawings been described the present invention, clearly, the invention is not restricted to this, and can make amendment in every way within the scope of the appended claims.